If you owned a television at all in 1988 you probably remember the scene that played out on countless “entertainment” television shows, and the follow-up images and stories that later came in newspapers and magazines.

That was the year media tycoon Oprah Winfrey rolled a wagon of fat onto the set of her show representing the 67 pounds she reportedly lost. Since then the daytime talk show host has become a spokesperson for many—touting eating healthier and exercising.

Since we’re knocking on 2009’s door, this is the time of the year when, among everything else, we’re inundated with the “best-ofs” and the “year-in-reviews” and all other shows, programs, stories and broadcasts remembering all things great in 2008.

I watched one such show last week, and I think that’ll be enough to last me for at least another year.

I found it mind-numbingly predictable, and I’m willing to bet all the rest will be equally unsurprising.

This past week the weather broke for us a few days to get offshore and do some fishing. On Dec. 3, my wife, Amy, brother Barrett and their scuba diving instructor/friend Cameron Sebastian with Coastal Scuba joined me aboard the Carolina Cat for a day of fishing and diving.

The plan was to run offshore to the edge of the Gulf Stream to try to catch a wahoo or two, then head inshore and do some diving and spear fishing for grouper and maybe find a lobster or two.

The Lockwood Folly Men’s Golf Association played its red, white and blue tournament Dec. 5. Members who normally play from the white tees played three holes of their choice from each of the red, white and blue tees on the front and back nines. Members who normally play from the gold tees played three holes of their choice from each of the white, gold and red tees on the front and back nines.